Metrocentre

Introduction

Metrocentre is a shopping centre and entertainment complex in the Dunston area of Gateshead. Metrocentre has established a comprehensive sustainability strategy which includes a net zero commitment by 2050 for Scopes 1, 2 and 3.

Policy Statement

We have a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements and recognise that our site activities, and the spaces we manage have an impact on the environment and society. In pursuance of our goal, Metrocentre Senior Management has committed to implementing and maintaining an effective Environmental Management System (EMS) and Energy Management System (EnMS) and commits to:

• Fulfilling compliance obligations covering environment and energy (energy efficiency, energy use and energy consumption).

• Protecting the environment and preventing pollution incidents.

• Providing information and necessary resources to achieve objectives and energy targets.

• Supporting the procurement of energy efficient products and services that impact energy performance.

• Supporting design activities that consider energy performance improvement.

• Continually improving the environmental and energy performance of the site by reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency of the building and equipment using low and zero-carbon technologies wherever possible.

In order to achieve this, we will:

• aim to reduce resource depletion by selecting products and suppliers that minimise environmental impacts and monitor our consumption of utilities.
• minimise waste generation, increase waste recycling, practice forms of sustainable waste management and maintain our zero waste to landfill achievement.
• work towards net zero emissions by mapping out our carbon footprint through the delivery of our long-term ESG strategy to gradually abate emissions in line with government guidance (e.g use of solar panels).
• undertake climate physical risk and natural hazard risk assessments to help inform adaptation and mitigation measures that can improve the resilience of the Centre.
• minimise energy use and adopt green tariffs from REGO-backed renewable sources where possible.
• minimise the risk of environmental impacts associated with the storage of polluting substances.
• effectively manage the operation of plant and equipment to minimise the risk of environmental impact associated with their operations.
• maintain emergency plans to minimise the risk of environmental damage in the event of an environmental emergency at the premises.
• consider green leases agreements with tenants where possible.
• j) review our biodiversity baseline and develop and implement a Nature Action Plan that will support and enhance local biodiversity through various activity such as tree planting, wildflower cover, habitat protection as well as further local biodiversity initiatives and landscaping practices.
• aim to achieve further green building-specific certifications focused on sustainability performance (e.g BREEAM In-Use).

Implementation & Key Objectives

Under the leadership of the Centre Management and Operation teams, a dedicated team have been appointed to maintain and develop the EMS and EnMS for the site, in partnership with Savills Sustainability team. These teams will work closely with the ESG Committee to implement the objectives of the EMS and EnMS, and to communicate the environmental, energy and sustainability requirements, goals and achievements to all stakeholders across Metrocentre.

The Centre Manager is accountable for the environmental and energy performance and compliance of Metrocentre. The Operations Manager is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, reporting and continually improving the effectiveness of the Environmental and Energy Management System.

The entirety of the Metrocentre team is tasked with the day-to-day implementation of the EMS and EnMS as it pertains to their individual role, and for ensuring the ongoing compliance of the site with environmental and energy compliance and the ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 Standards.

This policy is communicated to all team members, and service partner contractors, and is made available to the public on the company website. Team members and contractors working for and on behalf of Metrocentre are expected to read and understand the policy.

Centre Director

Gavin Prior